Ms Armstrong's Fourth Class

Caring for the Planet Third and Fourth Class have been busy learning about the impact of Climate change.  Here are some impacts of Climate change on our planet: Rising Sea-Level: Sea level has risen about 8 inches due to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. The warming of seas and oceans is also making coastal storms more damaging. Ocean acidification: Extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans, making them more acidic. This can make it difficult for corals and microorganisms that form shells to survive, disrupting the food supply for other sea animals. Heat waves Heat waves are long periods of time with above-normal temperatures. As the Earth warms, more areas will be at risk for hotter and more frequent extreme heat waves. Wildfires: These are large fires that burn vast amounts of forests and brush. When they are not controlled, wildfires can destroy homes and be deadly. Drought: Global warming will increase the risk of drought in so...

  Can solar energy be used to light up LED circuits? What are the requirements of a circuit to conduct electricity? An electrical current requires a closed circuit . The circuit allows a direct, uninterrupted flow of electrons from the power source and back - a complete circular connection with no beginning or end. What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy? Renewable energy  uses  energy  sources that are not "used up". For example, solar power from the sun is  renewable. In addition, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind don't emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming Examples of non- renewable energy  sources include fossil fuels like coal and oil. Once we use or burn these resources, they are gone forever. They are also cause huge environmental pollution and increased global warming. Why are LED bulbs describes are being energy efficient? Light emitting di...

Our fun facts about using batteries to produce electrical energy:   When did scientists first begin to harness, store and generate electrical energy? Efforts began in the 18 th century. Benjamin Franklin, Luigi Galvani, Alessandro Volta, Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein helped us too understand how electricity worked. How is the electrical energy produced in the battery? A chemical reaction occurs between the two metals that are separated by paper soaked in vinegar. When this happens an electron is generated and is spit out into the wire. When this is connected in a loop current flows and electricity is produced. What is the difference between a primary cell and secondary cell battery? The major difference between a primary cell and the secondary cell is that primary cells are the ones that cannot be charged but secondary cells are the ones that are rechargeable. What are the applications of batteries in everyday life? Batteries a...

Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat. They prevent the heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are a good thing. Without them, our planet would be too cold, and life as we know it would not exist. Scientists are worried that human activities are adding too much of these gases to the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide comes from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil. Methane gas is released from wetlands, growing rice, raising cattle, using natural gas, and mining coal. Nitrous oxide is made from bacteria in the soil and the ocean. It is also released by some types of factories, power plants and plant fertiliser. Chlorofluorocarbons are not created in nature. CFCs were found in aerosols, fridges and foam products but were banned from use in developed countries from 2000. There is some evidence that the ozone layer has started to repair itself thanks to the ban, which is great news and shows how fast and efficient action can rea...

Reading Comprehension Strategies Predicting I suppose.. From what I know, I don’t think… I predict that… will happen next. That’s not what I thought would happen. Maybe… will happen because… I wonder if.. I think… will happen because.. Creating Images When I read this I can see… I can taste.. I can see.. I can see this picture in my head.. it looks like. When I read this I imagine.. I can smell.. I can hear.. I can touch.. Declunking Think of another word that makes sense. Sound out and blend the sounds together. Read on. Look for parts you know. Reread. Ask yourself “Does this make sense?” I didn’t understand this part… I’m confused about… There is a word/ phrase/ idea that is confusing me I didn’t understand__, so I am going to reread the paragraph again. I don’t understand what the author meant by the phrase, __________. I’m going to read on and see can I figure it out. This part is extremely difficult but I’m thinking to myself ‘Do I need to fully understand thi...

The following websites are very helpful for any parents struggling to help their children with Irish homework: www.abair.tcd.ie   – Pronunciation of Irish words www.teanglann.ie   – Online dictionary that also focuses on grammar and pronunciation www.focail.ie   – Online dictionary https://www.tearma.ie/ – Online dictionary https://translate.google.ie   – Online language translation service http://www.schooldays.ie/ articles/Irish-apps-for-kids  – Apps for learning Irish http://www.easyirish.com/   – Podcasts to help learn Irish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf9mIckJGV4&list=PL2D6CDB968FB72FA5 – Irish Lessons https://www.independent.ie/life/family/learning/learn-irish-with-liam-o-maonlai-26460087.html Irish Lessons Useful websites for children https://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/microsites/dreimire/index.asp - Stories and Games http://www.leighleat.com/ - Stories and Games http://www.digitaldialects.com/Irish.htm   – Lists of Irish vocabula...

We had great fun with abstract art just like the Master Artist Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky is a famous Russian artist and pioneer of the Abstract Art movement. He found lots of inspiration for his artworks from listening to music.  Here are some facts about Kandinsky: Wassily Kandinsky is one of the most famous artists in the world. He is known for being the first ABSTRACT artist! ABSTRACT art means that the artwork is made up of lines, shapes and colors that do not represent anything.  Kandinsky had a genetic condition called synaesthesia, which is mixing up of his senses. This allowed him to SEE sounds and HEAR colours. Wassily would often paint while listening to music. Some of his paintings are called Compositions just like musicians compose or write music. Take a look at his artworks and you may see lines and shapes that look like musical notes. Title: Composition X Date:1939